Week 24: week awesome

Dear Family and Friends,

I forgot to tell you I tried Muktuk (traditional Eskimo meal of frozen whale skin and blubber) last week- Gross! At least to me- my mouth was numb all day after that and I don't think that is normal.  It reminds me of eating oil- I spit it out- Sister Burbank actually swallowed it.

One of our investgators is working on living the Word of Wisdom and has made it a goal for himself; but the other night he was waiting for his ride as we were teaching him and when the truck pulled up he got up, threw on his coat as he was walking across the room and praying for the lesson.  I wish I had the words to explain this because I could not stop laughing afterwards at how chaotic this was.  So great, but I know that he is being sincere, he's just way too funny about it.

A young boy we are teaching wants to be baptized this month. He gets so excited for the lessons, and during the lessons, he asks us when our next lesson will be- naturally we assumed that this was because he may have been getting bored or tired of listening, but we asked him why this last time, and he said it was because he didn't want it to be over. He is so sweet! He and his sister are working on reading and praying together at night before they go to sleep and it is precious how close it is bringing them. It testifies to me even more that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is made for families.

We went to visit a few cannery workers during their lunch break this week who asked for a thought. There was a group of 7 of us out in the parking lot of a run-down cannery, praying, sharing our testimonies and we were able to feel peace from from the spirit. We received a text later that said thank you and that that was the most peaceful lunch they had had in a long time, away from the hustle and bustle, even though they had to get back to work. Being in a rough environment like that, they see their need for the spirit, but also, they hunger for it just as Enos did- he hungered- not for water or for bread. He sought what could only be given through Christ. (Enos in the Book of Mormon, www.lds.org).

There is a family who haven't come to church much, and do not see much of a need to.  One of the children, the youngest, has decided that one day he wants to go on a mission and that he want to go to church, and for his family to as well, so they can have those blessings also. It is so good to see the determination and desire for good this boy has, even as he walks to church on his own some days. One young boy can be the glue that helps a family know of Heavenly Fathers love, and his mother recognizes this good that her boy has the ability to do.

One of the recent converts who we have grown to love moved to the lower 48 this week-- We will miss her dearly.

It has been one of the busiest weeks of the mission I believe- many busy weeks ahead, but I am satisfied with that as I fall into bed at night and still wake up tired in the morning. I know the good that I am seeing, and that the people I am meeting are more important to me than anything I can do for myself out here, because it is through them that I contiinue to learn how much the Savior loves and values his children, every single one. That is why he has sent forth missionaries all over the world- to speak in his name to all- whether they choose to receive it or not. and then it becomes their choice. We are here to invite and to help them always.

SO excited to go fishing today! If I catch ONE I will be happy!  We did teach 27 lessons (this past week)- it was a BUSY week.

Happy Birthday this week Jen!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

isms: "Don't be weak sauce, be bold sauce" - Sister B.,

"hey it's the sisters", says a young 3 year old running through sacrament meeting with an excited face

then we see this older man, "hey it's the mission mormonaries" -haven't heard that one before.

 

Scripture: Alma 26:12, 17, 27-28, 30, 36-37

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
17 Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.
 

Week 23: The reds are runnin'

Dear Family and friends,

Saying Goodbye to Sister Sadlier!

This week started with Sister Sadlier, driving to Anchorage, and now Sister Burbank is here in Kenai. It is amazing to see the difference of each companion, and how they choose to work--Sister Burbank has brownish blonde curly hair, and she came out the transfer before I did, and has been in Fairbanks for six months.

Sister Burbank (my new companion) and Sister Wuehler heading back to Kenai--River where bear was spotted!

On our drive back from Anchorage, we saw a brown bear in the Kenai river in Coopers Landing! It was catching a fish.

Traffic in Kenai is crazy!  We try to get to our driveway and it is blocked and slowed by R.V.s, trucks, fisherman and crazy dip netters. The Peninsula is filled with boats and you can see the differences in the drivers and the risks they take- -it has become easy to spot Anchorage drivers!  Fish and Game said that the red Salmon will be coming up the river by the thousands this week, and it shows by how many thousands are coming into the town-- but it is amazing to see.  It was great-- we walked out of our apartment one morning this week and our landlord was filleting Salmon out there and offered a fillet to us--fresh caught that morning (sorry family, don't be too jealous).  I don't know why people like white fish over Salmon- salmon just tastes so much better to me.

We have been trying to contact someone out in the middle of the woods, and we were told the basic area of where they were and that they had three nice dogs (note: that is how they are given addresses; usually just a basic description of where). We have been going to that place that was described, but the dogs we saw were awful, and we even tried to get out of the car by playing fetch with the stress ball in the car.  Too bad we were in the wrong place and these were not the nice dogs that were explained to us!  It was down another winding road even farther into the woods.  Now I know what was meant when they said the dogs were really nice; you can only stay in the truck so long before you believe that the dogs running and barking viciously outside your car are actually awful.  I have been lucky not to see too many of those.

Yesterday, a four year old boy, who absolutely love animals told me, "Your hair matches a red squirrel." His mother assured me that it was a compliment as we tried not to laugh at how silly he was. This is one of the strangest compliments I have ever received, but from this boy I know it was a compliment!

We have had some pretty amazing witnesses this week, and things that were said, times that were too perfect to be coincidental; one of them being during tracting as we showed up at a ladies house, just as she was needing our help. This is too consistent to be coincidental.  As we follow what Heavenly Father has set forth and try our best, he prepares those who we are to see to be able to feel the spirit in their lives, and to know that the Gospel is the Gospel for the living, for the broken, for each and every one who will only decide to come unto Christ.

(Last week) We were able to hear the testimonies of and go to the temple with those who departed for home this week, and the power that was shown from that has been one of the biggest blessings to hear. Time is going so fast here, but I am so grateful for all who I am able to meet that help me to see the Saviors hand in my life each and every day.  We are here to bring the good news of repentance and change to all, and regardless of what others may think- it is a joyous news! The gospel is the only way to have peace of conscience and happiness in this life.



Sister Petersen and I again -- we were in the MTC together!






The Alaska Anchorage Mission Sisters!

Wish I could write longer, but we need to get going. Love you all!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scriptures: Alma 29: 1-4 (LOVE this one- remember, Heavenly Father lets us learn from our desires [verse 4])

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the ^atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and ^acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their ^adesire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their ^bwills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.

ism: "We are in the business of miracles" -J. Beesley

p.s. The recent convert I was telling you about was ordained yesterday! so exciting- we brought him a Preach My Gospel (book) as well.

A great place to be!

Week 22: A baptism, lots of rain, and transfers

Dear Family and Friends,

The time has come for Transfers again-- so we are heading up to Anchorage tonight. I found out I am staying in Kenai this next transfer! But the sad news is that Sister Sadlier is not--she will be training a new missionary in Palmer--which she will do great at. Sister Burbank is coming down to Kenai--She has been in Fairbanks for six months--and she has been out one transfer longer than me. I am excited to serve with her, but I will miss Sister Sadlier very much.

There are a lot of amazing missionaries going home tomorrow, and I am so sad to see them go. I love to see the examples that they show that helps me to improve and I am excited for them to share their testimonies tomorrow. We were also told that when we are up in Anchorage tomorrow we are having a Sisters night, which means that we will be able to go to the temple tomorrow- all the sisters will be together- which rarely happens. I am excited to see them all!

We tasted bear this week at someones home- it was black bear that had been hunted and they had someone make it into pepperoni. It was actually really great; I was surprised. Then last night we were at dinner and asked those who we were with what meat was on the pizza. They told us it was muskrat and beaver (which) kind of made me want to lose my appetite. I can barely keep down moose--it's just the thought of it. But they were just messing with us when they said that, so we DID NOT try muskrat and beaver--haha. I don't think I am ready for something like that yet; I'll pass, because I am still trying to get over moose.

We moved a couple of lawns this week--both were 2 1/2 feet to five feet of grass in different places, and my shoes are even greener than when I started. One thing I can say of Alaskans-- with the sun out for most of the 24 hours and the moisture in the air, they are some of the most appreciative people for summer, because they miss out in the winter. I see more people garden up here than I have seen in most places. While the gardeners here have to work a bit differently than in the lower 48, they still do their best and there is some amazing growth here.

I finally saw fireweed!!! It is finally growing- it is beginning out it Nikiski- soon it will be everywhere. Fireweed is a flower that is native to Alaska, and it has a bit of a fuschia color. We also saw caribou as we were on bridge access crossing the Kenai river. It is so funny how everyone stops and takes pictures. The reds and fish are finally starting to come in, and that helps so many! The cannery workers jobs are finally picking up, and I hope that the lack of fish this year as opposed to previous years doesn't hit the people too hard.



Fireweed

Caribou

We listened to a talk by one of my favorite writers- it is called, "if I am forgiven, then why does my past still bother me" and it is by Brad Wilcox-- He wrote the book "The Continuous Atonement" We shared it with our investigator, and he loved it-- I could see it helping, as true principles help each of us to grow and know how to turn to our Savior. A couple of points from it I loved were these:

·         "When you get hooked up to a heart monitor, you don't want to see a straight line. It's the ups and downs that let you know that you're alive

·         The Savior can forgive, but can we forgive ourselves

·         Many people would rather go to a guilt class than a quilt class

The baptism went SO Well! You could feel the spirit in the words that were said, in the support that was shown, and as he happily took this next step in his life. He even shared his testimony with us all. I will never cease to say that it is amazing what the hands of the Savior can do in our lives, through the Gospel. I saw the attitude of this young man change, in the short time I have known him, to a person who has joy, and who acts on his Faith in the Savior so clearly, that he is enabled to bless others lives. There are those in the ward who knew him since he was little, and they say the difference in him that they see is absolutely amazing- I am not surprised- As he listens to the spirit, he is doing great things. Even he said so himself- "It's not me, it's the spirit"- and that is true with all things. Which Christ, all things are possible, especially forgiveness. The Brother in our ward who had originally invited him to learn more was talking with him one day, and told him his knee had been hurting him- the next day, our investigator asked him how his knee was feeling

and the brother in our ward told him it was better- the reply back was "Good, I prayed for you." As simple as that is, I am brought to the thought of his simple and unwavering faith. The brother in our ward shared with us this- he said of him, "he believes in his prayers, so his prayers are answered." I hope that we all can strive to have that simple faith and trust in the Savior as we strive to figure out what God would have us do, and as we ask questions that help us draw closer to him each day.

Never miss a chance to share what you know about the Savior, it has the power to save souls. (Romans 1:18)

"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."

LOVE YOU!

Love,

Sister Wuehler

Scripture: Alma 7: 11-13, 15

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

ism:

"Be a creator of Circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances." -M. Russell Ballard

"...the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

(Dallin H. Oaks, "The Challenge to Become", November 2000)

someone told us this: "I don't want to offend anyone, but inside this little guy there is a really really big guy inside of me who is ALWAYS hungry!"

Week 21: Relax... this ain't the lower 48

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been good. It's just good old overcast Kenai in the middle of July as usual, although today is looking pretty sunny out. We are preparing for a baptism this weekend, we made sure no one threw candy from floats in the fourth of July parade by riding up and down the parade route (we called ourselves the candy killers, but if people were throwing candy from the sidelines, they were still able to throw candy), and have been sick with colds and stomach aches.

We tried a famous bakery in Soldotna after district meeting this week- it is called "The Moose is Loose" and everyone raves about it. It was really good, but I don't love doughnuts that much. I would recommend it to anyone any everyone that does love them if they are ever in this part of Alaska. For district meeting we were talking about strengthtening our companionship unity so that our teaching can be in unity and we gave ways we could strengthen it, and ways we could ruin our unity. We put them all into a bag, and whenever we got a piece of paper that had to do with ruining our unity, for example, "shave off your companions eyebrows in their sleep" (this has never happened, they were made to be ridiculous), we had to cut off a piece of flour from a bowl shaped cone of packed flour with a piece of gum on top without fully knocking it down- if we did knock it down, we had to search the flour for that piece of gum without hands. Sister Sadlier was the one to knock down the gum, and she had flour all over her face after that.

As much as I dislike lunges sometimes I am making it a goal to do lunges more often. If I say that on here then I have to hold myself to it. I give permission for everyone to give me a hard time about it if I don't keep to it.

Missionaries are on the front lines of miracles. We can be in situations where there seems to be no hope for someone, however, knowing that the Savior has given all that he had and has overcome all, we are able then and only then to see the change this has in the heart of the people. One of our investigators was talking with us about forgiveness and I remembered something I learned from a teacher as I was in the MTC- There is no good in opening up a wound the Savior suffered and died trying to heal. As we have faith unto repentance and are cleansed through baptism, and continually renew those covenants, we can know that those sins can be remembered no more, and the hope that this can bring. The gospel is to make bad men good, and good men better, and we can always improve. Not one of us here is perfect. Virtue comes only from the one who holds perfect virtue: the Savior.

I was reading Alma 5 this morning as part of my personal study, and it has so much in there, so many questions to ask ourselves about where we are in coming closer to God, but one phrase that stood out in particular to me was in verse 34 and in verse 62- to "become partakers of the fruit of the tree of life". Note that I am not talking about the tree of knowledge of good and evil, as in the tree Adam and Eve partook of- and remember that the fruit of the tree of life is spoken of in and around 1 Nephi 8 and 11 and that it is the Love of God. The love of God is given to us through the Gospel, which, because he loves us, he has prepared us a way to return to him. As we use the Gospel in our own life, we can feel that love, that mercy, because we are accepting it and doing our part in being the "partaker", because we use the Gospel in our lives. Why would the Gospel, and the Atonement fit into every single subject- because it is the reason why we have the light of Christ, the ability to be cleansed, and the whole reason we are here.

Hope you all have a great week.

Love,

Sister Wuehler


Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Isaiah 1:18, Moses 1:39

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed..."

ism: "Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe"

"The final judgement is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts- what we have done, It is an acknowledgement of the final effect of our acts and thought- what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions... The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." (Dallin H. Oaks "The Challenge to Become", Ensign Nov. 2000)

Pictures: 

The Sterling/ Soldotna/ Kenai District! 4th of July before the parade



This was the best thing in the parade- reenactment of that old photo



 Nikiski

Letter from July 2, 2012 - Excerpts:

A young man who has been investigating the church, who has had a dark past, and is truly seeking something more to his life "came up to us on Sunday and said that he'd been continuing to read and pray,...and he said he just knew beyond a doubt; there were too many good things falling into place to be a coindidence! "

Sacrament meeting was AWESOME yesterday also!  The young men had just returned home from a scout encampment up in Wasilla with members of the Seventy, and inspirational speakers. so many of them went up and bore their testimony!  This is a few of the things which were said:

•  "I would put my mission papers in today--I would leave today." (age 13)
• "After feeling what I've felt, there's no way it couldn't be true.."
• Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16

And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!  And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

• "you save your life, you shall lose it; if you lose your life for my sake, ye shall find it..." 

 It was an especially powerful meeting.  I am grateful for the testimonies of those young men and for the influence they can be on all of us, and for each of their dedication to serve someday.

 

Week 20: The Bear Scandal

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been so exciting and challenging at the same time with many different things going on.

I hope you enjoy the photo of  Lightening McQueen--courtesy of some of our members, who made it-- that car is so awesome.

So we went this week to visit the ladies in one of the Senior centers again, and we were informed of (in their words) 'a scandal'.  Someone snatched their big stuffed bear from their commons area, and they were pretty peeved about it.  I was very entertained by how into it they were about a bear going missing--I would imagine it must have been someone big and scary who stole it, either that or just someone's grandchild made off with it.  Priceless!  They wrote a "strongly worded letter" on their dry-erase board to try and scare whoever stole it.    I love these ladies so much, but there are some things you just need to let GO. They brought a smile to my face.

We had some gorgeous weather here in Kenai this week! We overlooked the valley and noticed one day how Soldotna and Sterling weren't seeing the same thing-- haha-- we wanted to tease the Elders about it, but just decided not to, I love the Alaskan summers! There is so much sun out!!!

We went to this little shop for dinner with a member this week. The place was called Veronicas--it is in old town Kenai and it is the cutest little place, with pretty good food too.  As the music came over the speakers I recognized some of my favorite artists and realized that I should probably work on blocking that out for the next 14 months or so.

We began teaching a young lady from China this week! She is the sweetest!  There is a strong language barrier, but she loves the feeling of the spirit that she feels as she comes to church and wants to learn more.  Apparently I use the word awesome alot because she pointed it out :).  We also saw a miracle as we have been trying to get a hold of another girl who everyone is worried about. Heavenly Father answered our prayers as we listened to who we needed to visit and we were able to finally get a hold of her. She said she appreciated the visit a lot, and I was so glad to meet her, as I can tell that she has been going through a rough time. Through others, Heavenly Father often answers our prayers, and I get to see this all the time! I feel so blessed!

We have been teaching a twenty year old boy who told us yesterday that he wants to be baptized! 

In studies I was reminded of this:
Christ is our Mediator- we cannot satisfy both mercy and justice ourselves. As Christ paid for the demands of justice, we became eternally indebted to him, and his terms for us that we reconcile ourselves to him, to come unto him. Christ never forces us to do things, instead he invites, "Come Follow Me." As we do this, then we can obtain the blessings he has in store for us- not of a physical nature, but of an eternal nature.

I am so excited for the fourth of July!  We are going to be in the Kenai parade-- even the Soldotna and Sterling Elders are going to be there-- we will be riding bikes making sure that no one throws candy directly from moving vehicles so that children will not run up to them. Be safe and have a great week!


Love,

Sister Wuehler


Scriptures: Mosiah 23:10, 20-22

Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.  And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly in the land of Helam; and they built a city, which they called the city of Helam.  Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.  Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.

ism:

• "Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life thinking that it is stupid" Albert Einstein (a member in our ward sent it to us on a voicemail, and said, remember, you guys are geniuses- that was the whole message and we love those random messages)
• There are three kinds of people in this world- those who are good at math, and those who aren't



Most current picture while writing this letter--isn't she just cute!!  Both of them are!

While trying to write one of their members, this came up!